Recent content by tcripp

Ditto to what Linus has posted. Because we are trying to get our profession out of the "technician" realm and in to actual medics, we should be using our brains to determine what is best for our patient. That also indicates that if we have a difference of opinion between what we believe to...

Not sure your definiation of "lazy". Is that patient care or help around the station? Regardless of the level of your partner, I agree that it does come down to "really good" vs "really bad" being an easy choice.

We have a panel interview for the hiring process to include the office manager, chief, asst chief, as many of the 4 captians we can get and then a few field EMTs and Paramedic's.

Oddly enough, it is fun. The only issue I have is that we like to do it in January. :glare:

I'm stand corrected. Williamson County does not. When I sat through a recruiting talk, I could have sworn I heard the recruiter say, "We have one, just not as intense as A/TC." Um...yes, Fayette does. That's the service I hired in with. We also have annual physical agility tests that are...

Out of Texas - Fayette County, Austin/Travis County and Williamson County. The details can be found on their individual web pages.

I work for a county based 911 service and, yes, a physical agility test had to be passed as part of the hiring process. There are two other county systems nearby that both require the same. If I remember correctly, you have 12 minutes to complete. You must walk to the ambulance, put the...

I agree with Linuss - that first glance should tell you...is it fast or is it slow; is it regular or irregular; is it shallow, labored or "normal". That's what you need to focus on - the "sick/not sick" in that first few moments. One thing I've done, along with the continued practice, is to...

In our service, it's up to the crew to make that determination. If we take a rider, we notify dispatch. Typically, we'll have the rider up in the front. However, sometimes it just makes more since to have the rider in the back and I'm using that person to my advantage.

I've been asked to write course work for a company, but have not done this before. Would love to hear from those who have. What kind of $$ do you charge? Do you maintain copy rights or do you in turn share them with the company that's just paid you for the job? What about simple...

Don't expect you to. For the record, I didn't say that I agreed with the practice...just stated that it's common.

I believe I understand the point you are trying to make, but the career/paid agencies are billing for the services and therefore have money. The others are nonprofit organizations. At that point, it's your decision to join...or not.

I, personally, am excited at the prospect.

I've actually worked for two volunteer groups where they do have "dues". The dues are minimal ($12 per year for one and $40 a year for the other) and it's just to ensure that you are "serious" about joining the group; kind of like a vested interested. So, it's not unheard of in my neck of...

While I can only speak to the state in which I live, I know several people who work two jobs in this industry and many more who work and continue their education. I work a 48/96 shift with a mandatory OT shift every 12 days and teach on the side. We have several part timers who work for other...